This is my first thread. I have a 99 4x4 Blazer and when I went to get it alligned I was told I needed a new pitman and idler arm. I changed the Idler arm then realized that my pitman arm didnt need changing. With the front end jacked up I can move the wheels. There is some play somewhere and its someplace between the pitman arm and the steering wheel. It sounds like there is a space right above the steering box. Does anyone know what this could be?

 

The 'rag joint' is what couples the steering shaft to the steering gear box. It is quite likely that it has gone soft or is possibly broken.

 

kinda makes you wonder about that alignment shop...................

 

Much appreciated. I'm new to mechanics and dont have much money to take to the shop plus I'm skeptical about what the shop says. I didnt know about the rag joint but that makes perfect sense.

 

Check out Flaming River for a fix if your rag joint is shot.

 

i have play in my steering too and i thought it was the rag joint. so i called chevy today to order one and they told me in 97 they switched to a intermediate steering shaft instead of the rag joint. (my truck is a 97 Lt) every were i have read on here about this problem on the 2nd gen blazers said its the rag joint. does chevy not know what there talking about? or am i the idiot and is the intermediate steering shaft the same thing as a rag joint? lol

 

@97cherryblazer
I have heard alot of different things too. First pitman, then ragjoint. I tried to narrow it down by taking the airfilter box out and observing. I think my problem might be in the steering box. Someone told me there is a bolt on it that can adjust and possibly take that play out of the steering. I'm not sure if it works and I havent looked into it yet.

 

you nailed it brother, Chevy doesn't know what they're talkin' about.


i have a complete steering column from a '99 Jimmy sitting right here beside my desk (don't ask) and what's sitting right on the very end of it?

why a rag joint of course!

take a look right @ your steering box, where the the lower column (intermediate shaft) joins to it. that 's your rag joint.

 

thats kinda what i thought. do you have to replace the intermediate shaft when you replace the rag joint? or can you just replace the rag joint? so i guess are they welded together?

 

It can be replaced separately from the intermediate steering shaft.